On Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:56:14 -0800 (PST), Mikepier
wrote:

I am renovating my basement and part of the project involves
relocating a HW heater. I was contemplating getting a tankless unit,
but I decided to stay with a conventional unit.
Here are some pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mikerock...eat=directlink

I would like to move it 3 feet to the left inside the furnace room to
gain more space by the window. As you can see the 3" HW heater exhaust
duct is to the right of the 6" furnace duct when it goes into the
chimney. So relocating it to that spot was my first choice.
But then I started contemplating possibly moving to the left of the
furnace duct. This would free up some space in the furnace room. But
the HW heater duct could not tie in to the existing duct in the
chimney because of the height of the HW heater( 50 gallon tall model).
Anotherwords I would have to go under the 6" duct, then back up, which
I know you can't do.
My question is can I tie in the HW heater duct to the existing 6"
furnace duct, possibly using a Tee of some sort?

For both options I have verified clearance for servicing/replacing HW
heater or furnace. Also I am not keeping my old unit since its 8+
years old and a 40 Gallon model out of warranty, I am getting a new 50
gallon unit and roughing it in.

There's a few ways to do it, depending on codes and work involved.
Even if you don't care about the code, it might bite you if you sell.
You have the best look at the flue runs and can decide what's best.
Knocking out the fire cement might direct you one way or another.
I've seen some recommendations that the small flue should be above the
big one - don't know if it's code anywhere.
My HW vent is directly above the furnace vent.
My last house they were side by side.
Here's something about using a Y vent to exhaust both.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7506103_vent...same-flue.html
It mentions to check code.
Personally I would knock out the fire cement and see what it would
take to put the HW flue above the furnace flue, then decide.
Seems that fits in with your tall HW tank.
I would check the code first.
..

BTW your unpainted basement walls look like mine, even that window.
I've been wanting to paint the walls since I moved in 13 years ago to
brighten things up.
What paint did you use, and do you recommend it?

--Vic